Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 194.  Thu 11-21-91 19:02  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Gordon Roberts
 Subject: Anti-Christianity

+-
| Hello!
|    I have been "BBSing" in my area (Eugene, OR) for the past few months
| and have only recently discovered (much to my joy) this network. I would
| like to know what you feel are the best ways to deal with rampant anti-
| Christianity that is prevalent not only on the more "progressive" BBSs,
| but in the so-called progressive community at large.
|    There is a flurry of attacks on Christianity coming from a group of
| folks on a particular board I frequent, and it pains me to have to over
| and over again try to "prove" that all Christians (especially us
| Catholics) are not raving, power-hungry lunatics.
|    Any advice you can give will be most appreciated!
|  
|                               Gordon Roberts
 
Dear Gordon,
 
Our Lord taught us, "No disciple is above his teacher .... It is enough
for the disciple that he become like his teacher.  If they have called
the master of the house (i.e., Christ) Beelzebul (i.e. Satan) how much
more those of his household!"  (Matt. 10:24-25).
 
We are Christ's disciples, His household.  We must expect to be treated
no better than He was.  You are finding that out as you attempt to
engage in rational dialogue on the computer networks.  "You will be
hated by all because of my Name, but whoever endures to the end will be
saved" (Matt. 10:22)
 
"I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves .... be wary of
people" (Matt. 10:16-17).
 
Our first duty to our opponents is to pray for them and do penance for
them:  "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
The pain we feel at the hostility we meet with is a penance very
pleasing to God, which will win graces of conversion for our opponents.
 
We must read and study continually in this work so that we may be
"always ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks (us) for a
reason for (our) hope, doing it with gentleness and reverence"
(1st Peter 3:15-16).
 
If you are not given an open and courteous reception on one network,
drop out of it: "We have tried to heal Babylon, but she cannot be
healed.  Leave her (Jeremiah 51:9).  Go to another network, or better
still, start your own.
 
Beware of prolonged debate.  Once a question is answered and
sufficiently discussed, excuse yourself.  Say something like "This is
the Church's teaching; the cards are on the table; there is no more
need for talk; do as you please now."
 
I hope these few ideas, which I have tried to base on the Word of God,
will be of some help.  God bless you.
 
                                Yours in Christ,
 
                                Father Mateo